Sussex Border Path
A29 (South of Ockley, Surrey)
to Charlwood (West Sussex)
(10 Miles)
A pleasant mix of field and woodland paths. careful navigation is required in view of the frequent changes of direction and lack of signposts and waymarking when on Surrey side of border.
After crossing main road at GR 144367, continue on access road to 'Denne Farm'. Go through farm and along track with hedges on both sides, after 250 yards turning left on similar track. Keep ahead (north), cross stream by bridge, then culverted ditch, and after about 70 yards, bear left uphill through bridle gate and head generally NW along woodland track. Pass pond on left and bear right to reach track on western side of wood, heading N and NW. On reaching road at 'Oakley Stables' (GR 147376) turn right. After crossing stream, turn right on access track to 'Oakdale Farm'. Where concrete track ends after third a mile, keep straight on (eastwards) through derelict area onto grassy path between hedges. On coming out from between hedges, head towards buildings ahead, pass first barn then turn left towards main buildings of 'Wattlehurst Farm' pass through farm buildings and continue for a few yards on farm access drive before turning left through gateway. Follow left edge of field to bridle gate leading into wood. (For alternative route through farm which appears to be nearer legal route. Once in wood, zigzag left to another gate into pasture and follow headland skirting 'Bonnetts drive' leading out to A24 road at GR 173378.
On reaching A24 at GR 173378, turn left for a few yards only before going right through metal field gate. Follow northern headland, continuing over railway to reach 'Ridge Farm' (GR 181377) and road. Turn right along road and in 200 yards, just beyond stream crossing, turn right over stile in hedge and head half left across field to left side of clump of trees surrounding large hollow. From this point next stile can be seen in hedgerow ahead. Cross next field to pair of stiles either side of ditch with crossing plank, and similar arrangement on other side of next field. Veer slightly right to corner of subsequent field where path goes through narrow belt of trees. Keep ahead in same direction to further pair of stiles. Again keep ahead across field to stile in hedgerow on far side. Do NOT cross this stile, however, but, on reaching it turn left along hedge line to metal gate in corner. Pass cottage and turn right over stile, then descend to road at Friday Street (GR 185369).
Turn left to pass 'Royal Oak' P.H. and within 100 yards, turn right over stile by 'Howells Gill' and follow fence on right to 2nd stile. Go ahead towards buildings of 'Porters Farm', but at corner of hedgerow which protrudes into field, turn left through gateway for a few yards to join farm access track, and turn right towards farm. Within 50 yards bear left keeping to left of garage. Go through gap and keep along hedge on right. About 100 yard past farmhouse on right, track diverges slightly right over stile and descends. Go over stile and join track coming from right over substantial brick bridge/culvert. Turn left through woodland. Within 30 yards leave broader track and fork right on footpath running parallel with adjacent stream. Follow stream for some way until, after crossing culverted tributary ditch, path rises gently to stile out into field. Follow edge of field with wood on right, until, just after a kink in fence line, you turn right over stile. Within 15 yards, after entering wood, turn sharp left on an indistinct path which descends steeply to cross a deep gully and up other side. On reaching level ground again bear left to continue east on straight track through plantation. At end of wood cross stile by gate and go ahead across large open field over brow of hill. On higher ground aim towards stile in right corner of recreation ground. Continue to road via wicket gate and turn right for 200 yards to Rusper Church and 'Plough' P.H.
From Rusper Church take signposted F.P. opposite. Head across field ahead, keeping left of derelict building and pond. Drop gently downhill converging on park railings to left, to reach kissing gate. Go under power lines and follow ditch on left. In corner go over stile/plank bridge, then turn left up field headland with wooded strip on left.
On reaching public road at GR 215388 turn right at junction. Continue on road signposted Charlwood and, in 150 yards, at first bend go over stile ahead and cross field diagonally; heading NE. Join headland near black and white cottage and continue eastwards on S side of hedge. In about 300 yards, go ahead through metal field gate and across large field, passing isolated derelict pond. In 150 yards beyond pond, on reaching hedge, bear left and follow it over 2 stiles and out to the road at Russ Hill (GR 228401).
Turn right along road for about third mile. By second entrance to Gatwick Wena Hotel, go right over stile and then left, parallel with road. Rejoin road over stile for a few yards to pass house, then go right through gap in wooden fence and continue parallel with road on left. Gout through gate by 'Windacres' and immediately take path starting from apex of fork at sharp bend. Follow brick wall, then headland, to stile, continuing half left at another stile. Cross green lane and continue churchyard to reach road. Leave 'Half Moon' P.H. to right and, in 100 yards, at main road turn right.
Map of Sussex.
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Walking the Sussex Border Path
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